Tragic end: Investigation complete in drummer Gilmore's death

'Everybody who's anybody musically in this town played with Johnny Gilmore,' said singer-songwriter William Walter.PHOTO COURTESY WILLIAM WALTER

Eight months after beloved musician Johnny Gilmore perished in a house fire, the official investigation is complete: the blaze was accidental and likely ignited by a dropped or improperly discarded cigarette. Gilmore died of smoke inhalation, and authorities now cite a high blood alcohol content as a contributing factor in his death. But the answer to one question remains elusive: Could a different type of smoke detector have saved him?

The 45-year-old drummer was home alone in the Green Leaf Townhouses in midtown on Fifth Street, SW on Thursday, October 22, when a smoldering fire ignited in his bedroom. His then 75-year-old father, Curtis Gilmore, with whom the musician lived, arrived home right after 9pm to find smoke emerging from his son's locked bedroom and called 911. By the time firefighters arrived five minutes later, however, the room had "flashed over"–- as the temperature reached 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and materials spontaneously combusted–- and the elder Gilmore, whom the Hook was unable to interview, was injured attempting to break down the door to reach his son. He was treated for smoke inhalation and burns and released from the hospital that night.

In the days following the fire, as musicians and friends mourned Gilmore, whom music critic and musician Stephen Barling called "the best musician I've ever met in my life," Charlottesville Fire investigators revealed that every one of the ionization smoke detectors in the nine-unit townhouse development where Gilmore lived had been disabled.

The landlord, Ampy Smith, initially talked of his frustration that tenants allegedly disabled the ionization units due to false alarms originating with kitchen smoke. Smith did not return the Hook's call for this article, but as the Hook has previously reported, ionization detectors are more prone to false alarms than photoelectric detectors. In one Alaskan study, ionization detectors were eight times more likely to be disabled than photoelectrics due to false alarms.

In addition, ionization detectors–- the type found in more than 90 percent of American homes–- typically fail to detect smoke from smoldering fires and will sound only when the first actual flames appear, potentially leaving victims exposed for hours to toxic gases including carbon monoxide and cyanide prior to the flaming fire.

That appears to have been the case with Gilmore, who, according to Charlottesville Police Detective Sergeant Steve Dillon, had a "large amount" of carbon monoxide in his blood–- 45 percent–- coupled with a .38 BAC, or blood alcohol content, nearly five times the legal driving limit.

But while such a significant alcohol level would render most people unconscious, and might even be life threatening, it's not always the case, says toxicologist Chris Holstege, director of the Blue Ridge Poison Control Center, who says he's seen individuals still conscious and ambulatory at levels as high as .5.

"It depends on their tolerance," says Holstege, who notes that the coupling of a high BAC and a high level of carbon monoxide most likely means Gilmore was fully unconscious at the time of his death.

Charlottesville Fire Marshal W.A. Hogsten agrees, and says Gilmore most likely died well before the room flashed over because of the carbon monoxide, which, when concentrated enough, causes death within a minute as the body is deprived of oxygen. "He might not have ever known," says Hogsten.

At a press conference following Gilmore's death, Charlottesville Fire Chief Charles Werner publicly acknowledged for the first time the flaws in ionization-only detectors–- which rely on radioactive material–- and urged the public to invest in combination smoke detectors, which employ both photoelectric and ionization technology.

While there is no way to know if Gilmore could have responded to an earlier alert–- or if a neighbor might have heard it and called 911 before he perished–- Hogsten says he hopes tragedies like Gilmore's death will remind everyone of the importance of smoke detectors. And he praises his department's response times and ability to suppress a blaze.

"The one thing we can't control," says Hogsten, "is the time from when the fire starts until someone notifies us. The only intermediary is smoke detectors."

24 comments

cookieJar August 6th, 2010 | 11:42am

thank you moderator!

osama August 19th, 2010 | 4:53pm

Yes is the founding member of the Insane Crime Posse fan club!
Yes enjoys engaging in social behavior under the guise of not being concerned about anything other than how "clever" he can come across in a public blog. how is that working out, Yes?

osama August 19th, 2010 | 4:55pm

this is everyone's business, Fire...it is a blog.
nice try though.
did you set the fire? is that why you are so rattled?

osama August 6th, 2010 | 11:09am

Deleted by moderator.

Yes August 19th, 2010 | 11:14am

Osama is part of the Insane Crime Posse. He enjoys engaging in anti-social behavior under the guise of being concerned about public safety.

Music of the Spheres August 14th, 2010 | 10:22am

Johnny added much needed light to this world and had a kind word for everyone. His passing is a huge loss to us. God bless Johnny in heaven and his family here. Johnny, we're right behind you.....keep smiling.

osama August 9th, 2010 | 10:48am

Deleted by moderator.

angel eyes August 7th, 2010 | 9:05am

A pity, and further confirmation of how pernicious smoking is. This death is a more typical event than many people think.
A drunken smoker alone is at immediate risk of this happening.

M. August 7th, 2010 | 9:05pm

This is really a sad event that Johnnys life was taken. I went to school with this fellow and there was never a moment where he was unpleasant to be around. He alway had a smile and great things to say. I would like to express condolences to his family and hope they are doing well.

osama August 19th, 2010 | 10:47am

i am pretty sure if my house was on fire, smoke detectors being on wouldn't stop me from getting out. but thanks for continuing to proving my point ...

osama August 19th, 2010 | 10:48am

why didn't any of you people tell this guy this stuff when he was alive?

always thinking about you johnny was a good friend from the start always had good words and kindness to one R.I.P. FRIEND.

Mr. Brown August 13th, 2010 | 5:35pm

deleted by moderator.

Jennifer August 18th, 2010 | 1:12pm

OSAMA, Who abused you that left you so broken and full of hate? What does a mans tragic death have to do with Morgans? His death was an accident, her's was was the act of a sick person and irresponsible friends. The lesson here is leave your smoke alarms connected(as annoying as they are) and don't let your friends go off alone.

osama August 18th, 2010 | 9:52am

45 years old, black, musician, house fire ...
where have i heard all of this before?
oh yeah ... the girl who was abducted on UVA grounds who went to the concert at JPJ arena. serial rapist, murderer still on the loose, unless this guy above was it. doubtful. i think the police in your area are incompetent. 11 months and counting.

Fire August 19th, 2010 | 4:25pm

Many of us did let Johnny know how we cared about him Osama. Not that it is any of your business.

JJ Malloy August 6th, 2010 | 12:04pm

Hopefully he never woke up. Burning to death is the worst death

Susan August 6th, 2010 | 12:08pm

Rest in peace Johnny, we will always love you!! He truly was a wonderful man.

josh August 6th, 2010 | 2:41pm

The most talented drummer I've ever seen. RIP JG

maeby August 6th, 2010 | 6:14pm

We miss you, Johnny.

Fat and Baldi August 7th, 2010 | 5:37pm

My condolences to the family. Johnny was one of the greats around here and will be missed. So very sad. I would hope and think that he never knew what happened, he very probably didn't. Now he's drumming in Heaven and smiling that terrific smile of his.